VCAT hikes will price out Victorians: Oppn

MANY Victorians will be denied access to justice under planned fee hikes at the state's tribunal for settling disputes, the state opposition says.

The cost of lodging small claims over faulty goods will rise from $38 to $160 under proposed fee hikes at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Planning applications will attract an extra $1000 fee, in addition to the current $322 charge.

Cases heard over more than one day will also draw a new $1800-a-day fee.

Opposition attorney-general Martin Pakula said the proposed fee increases, to come into effect from March, will price many Victorians out of the justice system.

"The whole point of VCAT is for it to be a low-cost, easy-to-use alternative for Victorians to give them a chance when they're dealing with dodgy traders or shonky businesses," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"It's going to be a terrible shame if Victorians can no longer enforce their rights because they are priced out of it."

Victorian government spokesman James Copsey blamed the previous Labor government for failing to keep VCAT fees in line with running costs.

He said a rising share of VCAT's running costs was falling on taxpayers and the fee changes proposed will split costs between users and taxpayers more fairly.

"Most fees payable by VCAT users will remain well below the full cost of VCAT proceedings," he said.

"No fee and low fee arrangements will continue in various lists, and waiver provisions will continue to apply in cases of hardship."